Missouri softball gave up another early lead to No. 5 Alabama on Sunday, dropping the third game of its weekend series with the Crimson Tide. With its sweep over Missouri, Alabama remains the only undefeated Division 1 team in the country.
The Tigers got off to an early lead in the top of the first. A single from freshman Geana Torres drove in the Tigers’ first two runs of the game. The Alabama offense followed up with three home runs to take the lead in the bottom of the first.
The Crimson Tide added to its lead in the bottom of the second with a grand slam from Reagan Dykes, increasing the lead to 9-2.
Missouri fought back in the fourth with three unearned runs. Alabama added to its lead again in the fourth, with a solo home run from Claire Jenkins. Later in the inning, Kloyee Anderson stole home on a first and third play, bringing the Tide’s lead to 11-5.
The Tigers couldn’t string together a comeback, recording only one hit and leaving two on base in the final three innings.
Montana Fouts got her 10th win of the season for Alabama, while senior Madi Norman got the loss for Missouri.
“Before we can do anything else, we have to start believing we can win,” coach Larissa Anderson said in a press release. “You can see that Alabama believes that no matter what, they are going to win. Down two today? It didn’t affect them. Down seven on Friday night? That didn’t affect them either. This team has all the necessary talent to succeed. We just need to believe in our individual talent, believe in each other, and we will start stringing wins together.”
Anderson’s squad heads back to Columbia for its first home games of the season on Friday. The Tigers will host Georgia for a three-game series starting at 3 p.m.
_Edited by Adam Cole | acole@themaneater.com_